Dewi Risnawati 

Public Administration Program, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia 

Gusti Naufal Rizky Perdana 

Public Administration Program, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia 

DOI: 

ABSTRACT 

Although Indonesia has long participated in the REDD+ program, a comprehensive review of its governance and policy research for the crucial 2020-2025 period has been missing. This study fills that gap by analyzing academic literature to map key trends and persistent challenges. The findings show that research is heavily concentrated in Indonesia, primarily using qualitative case studies. Thematic focus has shifted from initial design concepts to the real-world complexities of implementation, power dynamics, and regional strategies. The most cited governance failures include insecure land tenure, weak coordination between agencies, and conflicting policies, with a growing academic focus on political economy over purely technical issues. Crucially, this study identifies a major research gap: the lack of analysis on benefit-sharing mechanisms and whether they meet local community expectations. We argue that these structural governance failures, not technical limitations, fundamentally constrain REDD+'s effectiveness. Therefore, future success hinges on prioritizing deep reforms in land rights, cross-sectoral coordination, and establishing equitable benefit-sharing frameworks                        

Keywords: REDD+, Forest Governance, Policy Implementation, Indonesia